CHAPTER XI.
IN EUROPE.

AFTER his expedition into Central Africa, gratified at the success of his discoveries, as well
as the knowledge acquired concerning the people, among whom he found evidences of a higher
civilization than that which travellers accredit them, he departed for Europe, and arrived at
Liverpool May 12, 1860, where remaining for three days, he entered London on the evening of
May 15.

Here he received marked attentions from gentlemen of the highest social and public position.
Three days after his arrival he was invited to meet a council of gentlemen in the parlours of Dr.
Hodgkin, F.R.G.S. the Right Honourable Lord Calthorpe. M.H.M.P.C., presiding, with Lord
Alfred Churchill, chairman. These councils, continuing from time to time, terminated in the great
sorié
at Whitehall, July 27, at which were invited six hundred members of
Parliament, ending in the formation of the African Aid Society, numbering among its members
the following personages: R. Hon. Lord Calthorpe, the Lord Alfred Churchill, Hon. Mr. Ashby,
Thomas Bagnall, Esq.,J. P., Rev. J. Baldwin Brown, B. A., Edward Bullock, Esq., George
Thompson, late M.P., Sir Culling Eardley Eardley, Bart., Sir

He was also honored with the privilege of being present at some of the most important
councils in behalf of the cause of King Victor Emmanuel, at which letters from the distinguished
Garibaldi and the prime minister, Count Cavour, were read.

Besides these he was everywhere the recipient of numerous invitations, both for public and
private receptions, where the most distinguished courtesy was extended to him. While in London
he attended a grand
déjeûné
at the Crystal Palace, together with
three hundred and fifty other guests, representing the
élite
of the world: at this
presided the late Rt. Hon. Earl Stanhope, Dr. Delany being assigned a seat at the table with the
foreign ambassadors and delegates.

At two brilliant gatherings at the Gallery of Art and Queen's Rooms he participated. In his
hours of relaxation from business engagements connected with his explorations, he often found it
convenient and profitable to make social visits. To these he refers often as fraught with
interesting memories, but to none with more pleasurable recollection than a visit made to the
venerable and learned astronomer, John Lee, Esq., D. C. L., where he attended the annual festival
of Reform held by him in the great park of his residence at Hartwell Palace, of Elizabethan
memory, and assigned by the British government to Louis XVIII. while in exile.

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At these festivals the tenants and working-class gather, and partake of the advantages of
traffic there offered in wares and stores, in edibles and fancy goods, as the good Dr. Lee and lady
apportion for their benefit, together with the sale of these articles. They were entertained with
addresses on moral and scientific subjects by distinguished speakers invited for the occasion.

This continues generally for three days, concluding with various gymnastic and muscular
exercises; in some the women take part, when prizes are distributed by the doctor and his lady.
On the first day of the festival a ceremony is observed, which enhances the interest of the
occasion, and in this connection will serve to illustrate the elegant hospitalities extended to the
African explorer. A committee, selected by their host's approval, usually meet and choose as
president of the occasion some distinguished person present. A stranger or foreigner, if present, is
invariably honored with the position, and is assigned, in this event, the historic chambers once
occupied by the exiled monarch of France and his queen, furnished with the ancient garniture as
when occupied by them.

When the committee returned, they announced, as their choice for president, Dr. M.R.
Delany, the African explorer. This was unexpected by him, but was heartily received by the
guests present, some sixty-three in number, who doubtless understood it among themselves prior
to its public announcement.